High Mileage Purchase

[mamafuturama]

Today I plan to buy a 1999 Expy Eddie Bauer. My last car was a lemon, a very expensive mistake. I am tired of making car payments as well as repairs and getting stuck on the side of the road. I decided a high mileage older car would fit my budget and if anything, just leave me with repair bills.
I do not know a lot about vehicles and repairs. I realize that SUVs of this size require much more maintenance than average and that repairs are to be expected with used cars.
The Carfax checks out OK. I am the potential 3rd owner. The ride has 148k on it and seems pristine. I do not have anyone to help me with this car or purchase.
Could anyone tell me what to look for as a danger sign (if anything) unique to this truck before I hand over my $$$ and any maintenance I should expect to perform as a precaution in the first month or so?
I have read through past posts and feel that I have learned a lot already, so I really appreciate your time.
Thank you.

 

[nicks1k]

148K is not that high for a vehicle that's 15 years old. It averages to less then 10K miles a year.

 

[BIG GREEN FORD]

Rust on lower rear trail arms and upper rear trail arms. Is it 2wd, 4wd , 5.4, 4.6?
Make shour that the check engine light and every other light works on dashboard turn the key but do not start and lights should all light up. If its 4wd the 4*4 high and low will also light

 

[mamafuturama]

4 door wagon/sport utility

5.4l v8 pfi sohc 16v

4 wheel drive

 

[BIG GREEN FORD]

Make shour your front driveshaft is still there.

 

[FordandPolaris]

http://www.expeditionforum.com/f42/what-look-when-buying-gen-1-expy-10741/ <-- CLICK ME

That would be worth taking a half hour and reading through. My truck has 235k on the original motor and trans. At that mileage, expect front suspension such as ball joints and tie rod ends to need to be replaced soon if they haven't already. Other than that, check for weird electrical issues such as odd windshield wiper patterns or certain electronics like interior lights or radio not working. The 97-02 were known for having a leaking windshield and causing electrical faults.

 

[Bedrck47]

one thing to look for before you start the engine Put the key in and turn it to the run position but do not start. Make sure all warning lamps light up especially the Check engine light also pay attention to the ABS, antitheft and 4x4 lamps. Take it for a test drive. check the 4x4 system both high and low range. TEST THE LOW RANGE BUT DON'TDRIVE ANY DISTANCE ON DRY PAVEMENT just make sure it engages.

If possible have the codes read just to make certain none appear. You may want to be concerned if code P1000 does appear as that would indicate that the PCM has been reset and all code if any were cleared. I would ask why and also inform the seller that you want to test drive it again after the P1000 clears. Can take up to 50 miles of driving for the code to clear. Another cause of the P1000 code to appear would be if the battery was changed. But again check for any codes after P1000 clears itself. P1000 is the code for Drive Cycle not being completed

 

[Bedrck47]

when you do buy Kindly update your signature with the information year, model and engine of the expy as that will help to receive information specific to your expy

go to USER CP to update sig.

 

[mamafuturama]

Thank you. I am about to leave to test drive again.
I will run by an auto parts place to get a code read while I am out, though I do know it has a new battery.
I have no idea how to look for a driveshaft, in reference to another suggestion.
So, if one or more of the indicators do not light up with a half start, what exactly am I assuming?
I did check for water damage the last time I was there and saw none but I will do so again in regards to windshield leakage.
I hope it works out. I had no idea these vehicles were this nice. I am very impressed with it so far.
Ill be checking as I test, so I really do appreciate any and all response.
(thanks for reminding me to check the 4drive)

 

[Bedrck47]

The drive shaft that was referred too would be from the transfer case to the front axel It should be easy to see

 

[Bedrck47]

do not be surprised if the 4x4 lights don't come on when you turn the key to the run position but they should come on when you put it into 4 high and 4 low

 

[mamafuturama]

Just finished my "real" test drive (highway, backboards instead of just through town). I didn't buy because I wanted to research a few things first.
1. The engine made a very low, but definite "white noise" upon acceleration from stand still.
2. While it definitely didn't feel out of line there was a low vibration through out the vehicle that seemed more pronounced when I wasn't accelerating (coasting, highway)
3. I couldn't tell if I had it in 4H so I pulled over and read the drivers manual. I followed the "neutral" gear instructions for 4L and while I didn't feel it engage it must have as there was low deliberate acceleration And I noticed that my average mpg dropped from 11.4 to 10.3 lol I never saw any 4WD indicator lights
4. The tailgate was a bit hateful to open and the glass didn't want to stay open on it own.
I took photos and plan to compare them to repair photos I find online.
It drove sweetly an quiet otherwise. I see why people love theirs. I passed newer expeditions on the highway and the one I was in totally dwarfed them. Felt pretty cool. Take off seemed a bit slow but once I was past 30 I found 70 easily within a couple seconds and it never wavered, even on an incline.

 

[Bedrck47]

if it went into 4low you would have known it as it takes more rpm's to produce speed and when in 4low it feels like it moves very slow. the fact that you didn't get any of the 4x4 lights would be a big concern could be anything simple to anything serious

did you get a chance to have any codes read also did the CEL come on when you turned the key to run before starting

 

[mamafuturama]

It went into 4L, that's what I meant by low deliberate acceleration. I just couldn't find any visual confirmation that it was. I have owned 4WD in the past so I can tell, I'm just used I more of a physical "kick" to mark re shift. Now 4H I couldn't tell at all and I was going like 35-40 when I tried it. After I had stopped

 

[mamafuturama]

...after I had stopped and went into neutral it seemed to go into both 4H and low

 

[Bedrck47]

ok again did the Check Engine light come on when key was in run prior to starting

also did you have the codes read

 

[mamafuturama]

Yes it did re: check engine light did come on when the set itch was on but not fully started, as did all of the other lights except for the wiper fluid and low gas warnings

 

[mamafuturama]

Sorry I'm typing via an iPhone app and the keyboard is awful, should read SWITCH not "set itch"

 

[Bedrck47]

kindly answer all questions as it gets old to keep asking the same question more than once

did you get any codes read

 

[mamafuturama]

No. I did not. Again, I am using an app instead of the mobile site and it seems to cut off my posts before I am finished. I understand the frustration. Perhaps I will try again later. Thanks.